DotConnectAfrica Group CEO Sophia Bekele made a significant impact at the Universal Forum on Women’s Leadership at the EU Parliament

DotConnectAfrica Group CEO Sophia Bekele made a significant impact at the Universal Forum on Women’s Leadership at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on July 11-12, 2024.

We are delighted to announce the impactful participation of our CEO, Sophia Bekele, at the recent Universal Forum on Women’s Leadership. She led crucial conversations on equality and empowerment. This high-level forum was inaugurated with a welcome address by the Lady Mayor of Strasbourg and was attended by first ladies, Ministers, and high-level dignitaries from the EU as well as from Africa and Europe.

Sophia Bekele moderated the first high-level plenary session titled “Societal Evolution: The Influence of Women on Salary Equity, the Inclusive Economy, and Industrial Development.” She summarized the panel’s consensus by affirming, “Women are key drivers when building a fairer and more prosperous world. Their leadership is essential to ensure everyone is compensated fairly, that our economies are inclusive, and that our industries continue to innovate.”

As a speaker the following day, Sophia shared that women in business face continuous discrimination as they vie for opportunities, whether in securing contracts, financing, or addressing issues of sexual harassment. Sharing her own business experiences, she stated, “I summarize my experiences of doing business in the Global South in two words, the ‘SHE FACTOR.’ ” Sophia cited numerous and specific examples where men expressed surprise at a female heading an organization, particularly in significant opportunities. She emphasized that resilience is crucial to ending such discrimination against women and empowering women in developing nations. “Go public – never be silent,” was her advice, responding to an audience query on how she deals with such challenges.

Sophia Bekele: A Champion for Women Who Gets Things Done. Her participation at the forum underscores DotConnectAfrica Group’s unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. Ms. Bekele’s leadership in the technology and business sectors, coupled with her advocacy for women’s empowerment, exemplifies the core values of DotConnectAfrica Group.

As a result of her significant contributions in Africa, she was awarded a surprise accolade at the gala dinner held at the end of the forum, acknowledging her outstanding women’s leadership.